Someone Else Pick It For Me- August

[Georgiana]

Ceri wrote: "No, I've read a couple by Jane Odiwe but not this one. I am a bit half and half on time travel."

Don't give in, Ceri, I gave it 5 stars! :)
http://ildiariodellelizzies.blogspot....

[Kirk]

Kim wrote: "Kirk, for you I choose Brinshore because I enjoyed Emma and Elizabeth by the same author and had forgotten about this one. Look forward to your review!"

Thank you Kim!!!! The 1st half was a bit of challenge at times, as the heroine wasn't exactly super likable. The 2nd half was much more enjoyable and I think that pushed the book to the 4.5 range...aka 5 in my book. Cheers!!!

[Kirk]

Teresa wrote: "Kirk I read Brinshore some time ago. I'll be very interested to hear what you think of it. I haven't seen that many reviews for it."

Hi Teresa. Thanks for mentioning that! I definitely enjoyed the 2nd half much more than the first half. I suppose Brinshore is an easier/more interesting name than Anne and Emma....which is really what I cared about the most. The various past references and certain books read....also a great pleasure! So...after a being in the 3ish range for the 1st half...it eeks out a 4.5...which is 5 in my ratings.

[Teresa]

Glad you liked it Kirk. Did you read the first one Emma and Elizabeth? Was even better than Brinshore I thought.

[Kirk]

Teresa wrote: "Glad you liked it Kirk. Did you read the first one Emma and Elizabeth? Was even better than Brinshore I thought."

Oh yes, Goodreads says I read it in Jan '15. The relationships in Brinshore were confusing enough as it is...would have been impossible without having read Emma and Elizabeth first. In a rare review...I actually gave Emma and Elizabeth about a 3.5. I don't actually remember more than the basics but my review says the middle wasn't that interesting to me. Also, I was so worried about Charles Blake after what evil Joan Aiken did in her Watson's continuation. Cheers!

[Abigail]

Aak, it’s nearly the end of the month and I am waayyy behind on my pick, Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2. This volume of Rodi’s marathon of close readings of JA’s novels covers Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion—and I am still in the Emma section! The book is fun(ny), as the first volume mostly was, but I find I get tired of the relentless modern humor from time to time and have to turn to something I can attach to emotionally. Still and all, having a good time when I do pick it up!

A choice bit from when Emma goes to see the Bateses dreading that A Letter from Jane Fairfax [sound trumpets here] has been received: if it has, “Emma will be stuck there for the better part of a geologic age as the letter is read and re-read and analyzed and deconstructed and translated into Latin and copied onto lengths of ribbon and tied to the feet of doves who are then sent flying off to paradise.” I was only smiling till I got to the lengths of ribbon, but then I began to snort in a most unladylike manner! The book is full of these moments, and much of Rodi’s close reading is very shrewd, though he makes the occasional careless error.

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Aak, it’s nearly the end of the month and I am waayyy behind on my pick, Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2. This..."

What a hoot! Dry humor can be fun if the dosage is right. Glad you're enjoying it, Abigail.

I'm in the same boat with my pick. Getting a late start, but hopefully I'll still finish under the wire.

[Kim]

Hi Kirk, glad you liked Brinshore, it is definitely moving up on my TBR list!

Abigail, I tried but had to give up on Villa Fortuna. I think I have to be in the right mood for modern JAFF and I just couldn't get into it this month. I was side tracked by Sarah Ladd's Whispers on the Moors collection and my discovery of book subscription boxes and shiny new YA titles. But thank you for the pick and I'm sure I'll revisit it someday.

[Abigail]

Kim wrote, “Abigail, I tried but had to give up on Villa Fortuna”

What a pity it didn’t work for you! (I still haven’t read it, so I can’t judge.) But life is short and the JAFF list is long. Better fortune next time!

[Sheila]

I have read it and I am sorry you couldn't get through it, Kim. I found it delightful. But to each their own.

[Debbie]

Kim wrote, “Abigail, I tried but had to give up on Villa Fortuna"

I really loved it, too. But I definitely know what you mean about some books needing you to be in the right mood, Kim. Whenever I'm deciding what to read next, I try to just go with my gut and my mood. As you said, perhaps you'll pick it up in the future and find yourself enjoying it.

[Anji]

I'm way behind on my title (An Obstinate, Headstrong Girl) not because I'm not enjoying it but I kind of got distracted by the Olympics and also an unexpected beta project appeared in my inbox. I'm back on track now but it'll be into September before I've finished. Love your writing style Abigail!

[Abigail]

Ooh, {flutters,} thank you for the kind words, Anji! Well, a lot of it is word-for-word Jane Austen—it became a game with me to see how I could make the modern situations fit her language—so I really can’t take the credit. The Lady wrote most of it! Hope you continue to enjoy—but don’t hesitate to critique; that’s how I learn!

[Sophia]

Kirk wrote: "Hi Sophia,

Thanks for posting!! And thanks for a "challenging" list. :) Not familiar with any of them. But, having read the descriptions.....I'm very much hoping you find Win, Lose, or Darcy very ..."


Slid under the wire just before my time was up. It was a fun one. Thanks, Kirk!

[Kirk]

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Hi Sophia,

Thanks for posting!! And thanks for a "challenging" list. :) Not familiar with any of them. But, having read the descriptions.....I'm very much hoping you find Win, Lose, o..."

That is great to see. So glad it was fun!

[Abigail]

Finally got there! Finished all 514 pages of Robert Rodi’s Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2, reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... A good, solid 4 stars for me, maybe 4.5. Thanks for making me do it!

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Finally got there! Finished all 514 pages of Robert Rodi’s Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2, reviewed here: htt..."

You betcha! Now I've got a better idea from your review and want to read them both, too. :)

[Deborah]

oh, my. After having been away and my new students starting Sept 1 and my old class leaving Aug 31 I think I forgot to post that I read and enjoyed both Chaos Comes to Longbourn and

[Sophia]

Deborah wrote: "oh, my. After having been away and my new students starting Sept 1 and my old class leaving Aug 31 I think I forgot to post that I read and enjoyed both Chaos Comes to Longbourn and"

It's a crazy busy time of year. :)

[Deborah]

Goodness....I never even finished my thought. so I will do so now....and Side By Side Apart. I thoroughly enjoyed both books, Sheila.

[Teresa]

:) good one Deborah. Was wondering the first time I read it what had happened. Classic!!

[Sheila]

Deborah wrote: "Goodness....I never even finished my thought. so I will do so now....and Side By Side Apart. I thoroughly enjoyed both books, Sheila."

Yes, I read it as Bruises on a forum and then when it was published under that title - so excellent. Glad you enjoyed your books.